mansour sharifian

Breeding and production of fish in sea cages is one of the most common methods of commercial production of aquatic animals in the world. It is possible to develop aquaculture in the Caspian Sea by fully respecting the biotic, abiotic, social, and economic conditions, as well as the environment, with regard to sustainable development. Breeding fish in cages is very important from an economic point of view, and determining the challenges and obstacles before investment in order to reduce the investment risk plays a fundamental role in it. The purpose of this article is to investigate the economic challenges of cage culture development on the southern shores of the Caspian Sea using a combination of SWOT and FAHP analysis and then determine strategic priorities based on the Quantitative Strategy Planning Matrix (QSPM). In order to meet the challenges and also formulate strategies, the SWOT analytical model was used, and the opinions of 30 fisheries experts were obtained through face-to-face interviews and completing questionnaires in 2020-2021. According to the final score obtained, opportunity factors got 2.89 points, and threat factors got 3.54 points. As a result, the threat points prevail over the opportunities, and it shows that the current situation of this activity requires strategies in the field of adopting solutions to reduce threats. According to the total scores of the obtained matrix, the score of external factors indicates the need to formulate a defensive strategy in order to reduce the minimum risk of investment. According to the SWOT analysis, the strategies with the highest score are "development of standards and criteria and locating suitable areas for cage fish breeding sites," "allocating low interest loans and encouraging investors in order to facilitate investment," and "sustainable development in order to prevent Changing the use of valuable agricultural land" and "attention to export, introduction, and cultivation of species with global marketability" were presented in order to solve the existing challenges and suggestions to make the fish farming industry in the Iranian regions of the Caspian Sea.

This study aimed to compare reproductive indices of broodstocks between and within (control and selected treatments) four different populations common carp of Hungarian-originated (TATA), North Iran, China-originated (RAN), and South Iran (Khuzestan). Control and selected treatments in each population comprised the average of the broodstock population and those chosen deliberately from 30% above the population mean (apart from shooter fish with excessive growth and out of the normal range), respectively, to calculate the genetic progress. Male and female reproductive indices were checked respectively by evaluating sperm quality (spermatocrit, sperm density per milliliter, percentage of motile sperm, and motility duration) and measuring working and relative fecundity, ovum and hydrated egg diameter, fertilization rate, hatching rate, the larval survival rate, and larval size after hatching. The results showed that, despite the high fecundity in the South Iran population, it has the lowest egg diameter and larval survival rate (p<0.05). Although the China-originated (control and selected treatments) population had the lowest sperm volume, sperm density per milliliter, and percentage of spermatocrit among different populations, the selected-treatment had the highest motile sperm percentage and the motility duration, which resulted in the most elevated fertilization rate belonging to it (p<0.05). The highest survival rate 24 hours post-hatching was observed in China-originated (control and selected) and North Iran-control, and the lowest in TATA (control and selected), North Iran-selected, and South Iran populations (p<0.05). China-originated control population gained the highest larval survival rate 72 hours after hatching. Although it did not differ significantly with the North Iran (control and selected) and TATA-control (p>0.05) populations, it has meaningful difference with the South Iran, TATA-selected, and China-originated-selected (p<0.05). The larval size in TATA-selected, North Iran-control, and South Iran is significantly smaller than other populations (p<0.05). There is no considerable difference in larval length size of the North Iran population between the control and the selected treatments, but it is significantly more in control than selected treatments in the China-originated and TATA populations. This finding illustrated that the selective breeding of broodstocks did not affect the reproductive indices within populations and the larval survival rate in F1. However, it improved the larval size. China-originated and North Iran populations performed satisfactorily in male and female reproductive indices, respectively, and it is worth bringing into mind hybridization between the two populations in future studies.

Aquaponic system, which is a combination of recycling aquaculture and hydroponic plant cultivation, is consistent with the goals of sustainable development in the aquaculture industry. This experiment was conducted in the form of a completely randomized design with five experimental treatments and each treatment with three replications, which includes the control group: 30 carp (Cyprinus carpio) in a 300-liter tank (without lettuce), A1: 10 lettuce (Lactuca sativa) per m2 (without fish) along with liquid fertilizer, A2: 30 lettuce plants per m2 (without fish) along with liquid fertilizer, A3: 10 lettuce per m2 and 30 fish, and A4: 30 lettuce per m2 along with 30 fish for 60 days. The average weight of the fry fish (50.18 ± 1.23 g) and lettuce plant (10.32 ± 1.49 g) at the beginning of the experiment was the same in the experimental groups. The amount of dissolved oxygen in all experimental treatments was significantly higher than the control group (5.76±1.18 mg/liter) and the highest leve was obtained in A2 treatment (6.80±1.24 mg/liter) (p<0.05). At the end of the experiment, the average total suspended solids (1245.8±60.84 mg/liter), alkalinity (133.64±15.7 mg/liter), nitrite (0.18±0.04 mg/liter), and nitrate (62.40±2.15 mg/liter) were significantly higher in the control group (p<0.05) and the lowest values were seen in A2 treatment. There was no statistically significant difference regarding the performance of growth and feed utilization of the fish between the experimental treatments and the control group (p>0.05). However, the length and final weight of the plant and the relative growth rate of lettuce showed a significant difference between the experimental treatments and the control group (p<0.05) and the highest amount of the mentioned indicators was recorded in A4 treatment. To sum up, the results of this experiment showed that in the aquaponic system containing carp with a density of 100 carp per m2 and a density of 30 lettuce plants per m2, it leads to an improvement in the productivity of carp and lettuce production with proper water quality.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the physical and chemical factors of seawater to determine the water quality index around two marine farms of rainbow trout in the south of the Caspian Sea. Each farm had four floating polyethylene cages with a final fish harvest of 60 tons. The water sampling was performed in January and March 2014 as well as May and August 2015 from around the cages (close: cage shade, 50 m and 100 m; distant: 1000 m) in three geographical directions: east, west, and south. The water quality parameters including pH, temperature, transparency, salinity, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids, dissolved oxygen, and nutrients (nitrogen and phosphorus compounds) were determined. The results of the analysis of variance of data at both farms showed that changes in physical and chemical parameters of water had only significant differences at the time of sampling (p < 0.05). The highest value of variance in the principal component analysis (PCA; 30.23% from 84.75%) was related to EC, temperature, salinity, total nitrogen, pH, and organic phosphorus. Iran Surface Water Quality Index (IRWQISC) at near and far distances from farms was determined to be moderate (40-55). The main reasons for this result can be attributed to the small-scale and short fish farming period along with the hydrological conditions of the region.

The effect replacement of various kilka fish oil with canola oil was investigated on growth indices, body composition, and digestive enzymes of Siberian sturgeon (Acipenser baerii). One hundred and eighty fry fish (22.5±2 2.09 g average weight) were fed with four isonitroginus and isolipid diets (44 and 14%) (1: 100% fish oil (FO100), 2: 100 % of canola oil (CO100), 3: 50% fish oil+50% canola oil (CO50+FO50) and 4: 70% fish oil+30% canola oil (FO100+CO30)) for 10 weeks. The mean growth and feed efficiency indices in the fish fed with FO100 and CO100 diets were significantly lower than CO50+FO50 and FO100+CO30 (P<0.05). The changes in the canola oil/fish oil ratio caused changes in the body moisture and ash contents (P<0.05), but had no significant effect on the body protein (P>0.05). The lipase and chymotrypsin levels in the fish fed with CO50+FO50 diet were significantly higher than the fish fed with FO100 and CO100 diet. The results of this study indicated that using a combination of vegetable oil and fish oil in equal proportions has a relatively better effect on the growth indices, body composition, and digestive enzymes of Siberian sturgeon in the growth stage.

The aim of this study was direct transfer of four species of newly sturgeon (Huso huso, Acipenser persicus, Acipenser gueldenstaedti and Acipenser nudiventris) obtained from artificial reproduction to the Caspian Sea water. The fish in four different age groups (35, 50 and 65 days) and in three different saline water (FW: <0.5‰, EW: 9.5‰, and CSW: 12.5‰) were investigated. The fish were transferred directly from fresh water to brackish water. After 168 hours, blood samples were taken from the fish. The results showed that the survival in all groups was from 65 to 100% and increased with increasing age and weight of fish. Some blood parameters, cortisol level, osmolarity and plasma ion concentration were determined. The functional levels of the mechanism of osmotic and ionic homeostasis were similar in all groups (P>0.05) but differed in experimental media (p < 0.05). Significant differences were observed between the levels of plasma ion concentrations in different media (p < 0.05). Plasma Na+, K+ and Ca+2 concentrations were higher than those of FW media, but lower than in Brackish water media (p < 0.05). Plasma Mg+2 concentrations were lower than those of FW and Brackish water media (p < 0.05). The Hct, Hb, MCV, MCH and plasma osmolarity decreased and MCHC and plasma cortisol levels increased with increasing salinity (p < 0.05). But the number of WBC and RBC did not change (p < 0.05) and reached a stable state. As a result, it is possible to release newly sturgeon directly from fresh water to brackish water with increasing weight and age.

The use of non-agricultural lands with saline water resources can be a good potential for protein production through aquaculture and especially fish culture in suitable seasons. The purpose of this study was to investigate the potential of rainbow trout culture in earthen ponds using saline groundwater in saline soils (Esfarain area in south Khorasan province). The fish culture was done in two earthen ponds each with an area of 3000 m2 with a useful depth of 1.8 m in a 160-day (autumn and winter) culture period with 18100 μs/cm well water. The fish introduced in each pond was 23,000 with an average weight of 22.7±1.5 g. The mean final weight of fish in ponds (1 and 2) was 390±7 g and 340±7 g and mean survival rate was 82% and 88% respectively. The result of a culture period in brackish water (13.5ppt) and saline soil in 6000 m2 of earthen pond, a significant and economical production with 13000 kg (13tons) of fish. Overall, the results showed that brackish water and saline soils, which are often located in economically and socially deprived areas of the country, have the potential for economic prosperity and creating jobs through the development of Oncorhynchus mykiss aquaculture.

This research was done to compare length and weight relations in SPF rainbow trout male and female fish of different population in order to choose the best for cross breeding in Tonekabon cold-water fish research center. Collected pre-mature rainbow trout fish from IVO verified propagation centers of West Azarbayjan, Mazandaran, Kohkiloye and Boyerahmad, provinces, divided to seven treatments each with three replications and cultured in cement raceway pond with 10 kg density per cubic meter after tagging for tracing economic growth qualification and bio- securing. Feeding were done based on 2 to 3 percentages of body weight, three times per day, using Skeretting products of 40 to 45 crude protein percent and water exchanged 4-6 times, daily. Biometric indexes of fishes and physico chemical water parameters were measured during different growth stages. Since male and females placed in the same culture condition, so environmental parameter changes and genetic interactions variances were not influenced. Growth equations survey revealed that the highest b index of male broodstock, 3.15 was found in Maroofi propagation center in West Azarbayjan province which is showed growth isometric, the highest b index of female 3 was in Sarshar center (Mazandaran province). Invariability in fish sizes were caused by reduced heterozygosity which made economical performances by harvesting same weight and length fishes during shortages period. The highest correlation index R2 of male fish 87%, were observed in Maroofi center (West Azarbayjan) followed 0.86, 0.84 and 0.82 in Sharshar (Mazandaran), Ghorbani (West Azarbayjan), Fakhari (Mazandaran) and Yasooj (Kohkiloye and Boyerahmad) centers, respectively. Based on obtained data, the best broodstock of rainbow trout fish were selected and made identification certificate for cross breeding.

This study aimed to compare growth indices and production of rainbow trout breeders (Oncorhynchus mykiss) without any specific pathogens in various populations at the Fishery Research Center of Coldwater-Tonekabon. The project's implementation included collecting Pre-breeders were done in selected rainbow trout breeding centers (based on the approval of the Iranian Fisheries Organization and the Iranian Veterinary Organization) at the provinces of West Azerbaijan, Mazandaran, Kohgiluyeh and Barahi. In total, the rainbow trout (in the form of seven treatments and three replicates) were collected from seven farms in the above-mentioned provinces and cultured with a density of 10 kg / m2 in concrete ponds in accordance with the principles of biosecurity. Pre-breeders have been marked for growth traits in order to trace the economic traits of the growth. Biometry was done in different growth stages in order to measure biological parameters such as obesity coefficient (CF), specific growth rate (SGR), and calculate the relationship between length and weight. The feeding rate for three-year-old breeders was 2-3% of fish weight and three times a day. During the breeding period, all physical and chemical parameters of the water were monitored and evaluated in order to control the optimum growth conditions. Water change was also done 4-6 times a day to maintain the physical and chemical quality of water. The mean of the obesity index of rainbow trout among the seven farms at the end of the growth period indicated that the highest of the obesity coefficient in pre-breeders from the Genetic Research Center of Shahid Motahari Yasouj which was 1.67. The growth equations showed the highest coefficient b (3.15) in males fish from the field of Mr. Maroufi, which indicates that the growth is isometric. Since pre-breeders were in the same environmental conditions, the environmental variability resulting from changes in environmental conditions as well as the variance of interaction between genetics and the environment declined to zero. Obviously, in this case, the functional differences of growth indices among different populations are due to genetic function and genetic variance.